Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Incentive \In*cen"tive\, a. [L. incentivus, from incinere to
   strike up or set the tune; pref. in- + canere to sing. See
   {Enchant}, {Chant}.]
   1. Inciting; encouraging or moving; rousing to action;
      stimulative.

            Competency is the most incentive to industry. --Dr.
                                                  H. More.

   2. Serving to kindle or set on fire. [R.]

            Part incentive reed

            Provide, pernicious with one touch of fire.
      --Milton.

Incentive \In*cen"tive\, n. [L. incentivum.]
   That which moves or influences the mind, or operates on the
   passions; that which incites, or has a tendency to incite, to
   determination or action; that which prompts to good or ill;
   motive; spur; as, the love of money, and the desire of
   promotion, are two powerful incentives to action.

         The greatest obstacles, the greatest terrors that come
         in their way, are so far from making them quit the work
         they had begun, that they rather prove incentives to
         them to go on in it.                     --South.

   Syn: Motive; spur; stimulus; incitement; encouragement;
        inducement; influence.

Source : WordNet®

incentive
     n 1: a positive motivational influence [syn: {inducement}, {motivator}]
          [ant: {disincentive}]
     2: an additional payment (or other remuneration) to employees
        as a means of increasing output [syn: {bonus}]